One other Lengthy Island highschool cancels varsity soccer season

Amityville Memorial Excessive Faculty has had a soccer program that has gained a number of titles since 1950, however yesterday, the varsity abruptly introduced they weren’t having a varsity season this 12 months.

“I understand how exhausting my teammates have been working and searching ahead to this season,” stated Sekou Diallo, an Amityville senior who performs tight finish and linebacker. “We have now an enormous sport in opposition to our rival Wyandanch quickly, solely to seek out out that we’re not gonna be capable of play. It’s so disappointing.”

In a letter to the varsity group, Superintendent Gina Talbert stated partly, “Making an allowance for quite a few participant accidents on the varsity stage, this system has made the choice to pause varsity competitors for the upcoming season and focus all sources on a junior varsity schedule. This determination facilities completely on student-athlete security and long-term program well being. Soccer is a bodily demanding sport, and fielding a varsity squad with out adequate upperclassman depth creates pointless security dangers for youthful athletes.”

Talbert went on to write down that “transitioning our focus to junior varsity permits our gamers to construct bodily energy, grasp core fundamentals, and compete in opposition to age-appropriate competitors in a managed, growth-oriented atmosphere.”

For the seniors, this implies they won’t play their final highschool season.

“The brotherhood, particularly my teammates, the bond was finally like one of the best. I simply love the brotherhood. It was like one other household a spot I might name dwelling, and now it’s over,” stated Diallo.

“No one’s injured,” stated senior Zaquai Pettway who disagrees with the explanation for dismantling the varsity group. “I believe we have now group. We have now some good gamers. We have been going to do good this 12 months.”

State and league laws prohibit seniors from enjoying on the junior varsity stage, however the district says it’s actively working to assist these younger males “by management roles throughout the program and by exploring all accessible avenues to honor their dedication.”

Junior athlete Anari Armstrong desires to play in faculty, however now that there’s no varsity season, he’s at a loss.

“I’ve been enjoying varsity for 3 years,” stated Armstrong. “What am I alleged to do now?”

Amityville is the third highschool on Lengthy Island to drop its varsity soccer season this 12 months, following Port Jefferson and Holy Trinity. Part XI officers say with small faculties, it may be exhausting to discipline a full roster and curiosity in sure sports activities will be cyclical.

For a few of these gamers, it’s a last season taken away earlier than it even started.

“I don’t know what to do,” stated senior Carl Rodriguez-Williams. “I went from having a schedule and having my 12 months deliberate, and this sort of messed all the things up.”